Largest Fire In Los Angeles History Still Burning, Governor Declares State of Emergency

Multiple fires are sweeping through Southern California right now causing hundreds to evacuate and leaving the state in a declaration of emergency.

After experiencing blistering heat through out the week, Southern California residents found themselves confronting giant blazes surrounding their neighborhoods. The two fires, which broke out on Tuesday and Friday, had burned more than 10,000 acres near Los Angeles. The Ponderosa Fire, which destroyed 30 homes, burned through more than 3,000 acres by Friday as the Latuna fire destroyed 3 homes and burned though more than 7,000 acres.

Firefighters who had just been deployed to help Houston were called back to respond to the blaze which was fast approaching communities as the forceful winds and high temperatures made distinguishing the flames especially difficult. The La Tuna blaze also entered Yosemite National Park where there are 2,100 year old groves of giant sequoia.

Governor Jerry Brown, on Sunday evening, declared a state of emergency as the fire approached a nearby freeway. The governor’s declaration came after Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti suggested it so that federal funds were granted quicker after noting that this was the largest fire in Los Angeles’ history.

In total more than 1,000 evacuees had cleared out from neighborhoods in Burbank, Glendale and surrounding areas but by Sunday night the evacuation orders were lifted and citizens were able to return to their homes. The only reported injuries so far involved 2 firefighters who were treated for dehydration.